Loop Returns vs ZigZag Global (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, ZigZag Global grades higher than Loop Returns: 2.0 against 1.4 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
ZigZag Global grades higher on value for money and the free plan. They get the same grade on features, ease of use and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Loop Returns
Returns and exchanges software for Shopify brands
ZigZag Global
Returns, delivery tracking and carrier network for retailers
Which one is for you
Pick Loop Returns if
- Fits if you run a Shopify shop with enough returns to pay for it
- Works for a shop that wants exchanges offered before refunds
Look elsewhere if
- Pricey if you have few returns, as the Returns plan starts at $340 a month
- Not for you if you are not on Shopify, as other platforms need a custom build
- Watch out: Checkout+ is free only for merchants who qualify
- Skip it if you want to sign up alone, as plans are booked through a demo
Pick ZigZag Global if
- Fits if you are a UK retailer on Shopify that wants a free returns tier
- Works for a small shop with under 100 returns a month
Look elsewhere if
- Not for you if you sell outside the UK on Free: it is UK domestic only
- Watch out: carrier charges apply on top and returns beyond the allowance are pay as you go
- Watch out: Platinum lists 500 returns on its card but 1,000 in the comparison table
- Watch out: automated returns and refunds start on Gold at $50
- Skip it if you are off Shopify: only a Shopify app is listed
How we grade them
| 1.4GPALoop ReturnsWeak | 2.0GPAZigZag GlobalFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | D$340 a month for up to 1,000 returns a year, against a category middle of $20 and a dearest tenth from $189. Returns software is a different job from a label tool, but this is the top of the range. | CSilver is $20 a month for 100 returns, the middle for shipping tools. Gold is $50 for 300 and Platinum $199, with carriage charged on top. |
| Free plan and trial | FNo free plan or trial for most shops. Checkout+ is $0 only for merchants who qualify. | CA free tier for UK-based retailers: UK domestic returns, labels and insights, with pay-as-you-go carriage. There is also a 14-day trial on paid tiers. |
| Features | CExchanges, fraud prevention, return labels, workflows and insights. It is built for Shopify, and other platforms need a custom build. | CA returns portal, WhatsApp returns, delivery notifications, a carrier network and reporting. International returns, automated refunds and exchanges sit on dearer tiers. |
| Ease of use | CNo store rating on record. Workflows and policies have to be set up, and plans are booked through a demo. | CNo store rating on record. You set up the portal and returns rules inside Shopify. |
| Platforms and integrations | CWeb only on the listing, with one integration, Shopify. | CShopify only, with a web portal. No desktop or phone app. |
| Best for | returns and exchanges for Shopify stores | returns and delivery tracking for retailers |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Loop Returns and ZigZag Global. How we grade
Price against what you get
Loop Returns starts at $340 a month and scores 2.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. ZigZag Global starts at $20 a month and scores 2.0.
They score the same, and ZigZag Global starts $320 a month lower. Of the other shipping software on the chart, 34 score higher than Loop Returns for less, and 22 score higher than ZigZag Global for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
- ZigZag Global also covers whatsApp messaging and shipping labels.
At a glance
| Loop Returns | ZigZag Global | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Free plan |
| Starts at | $340 per month, up to 1,000 returns a year | $20 per month for 100 returns (Silver); the Free tier is UK domestic only |
| Free plan | None | Free Shopify app tier for UK-based retailers: UK domestic returns, automated labels and return insights, pay-as-you-go carriage. |
| Free trial | None listed | 14-day free trial on the Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers |
| Web | ||
| Made by | Loop | ZigZag Global Ltd |
| Price read from | loopreturns.com | zigzag.global |
| Checked | Nov 12, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Loop Returns
- Checkout+ is free only for merchants who qualify.
- Returns plan starts at $340 a month and covers up to 1,000 returns a year.
- Built for Shopify; other platforms need a custom implementation.
- Plans are booked through a demo.
ZigZag Global
- The Free tier is labeled UK only.
- Carrier charges apply on top of the monthly fee, and returns beyond the included amount are pay-as-you-go.
- The Platinum plan lists 500 returns on its card but 1,000 in the comparison table.
- Enterprise retailers book a demo; no enterprise prices are published.
Key features
Loop Returns
- Exchanges
- Variant and instant exchanges, plus Shop Now and Bonus Credit.
- Fraud prevention
- Tools to reduce abusive returns.
- Return labels
- US and Canada domestic return labels and printerless returns.
- Workflows
- Rules for returns, store credit or refund options and a custom return URL.
- Insights
- Reporting on returns and exchanges.
ZigZag Global
- Returns portal
- Branded portal with paid returns, live exchanges, return to store and refund to store credit.
- Returns in WhatsApp
- The return journey can run inside WhatsApp.
- Delivery notifications
- Email, SMS and WhatsApp notifications and a custom tracking page.
- Carrier network
- Carrier directory, carrier rates and carrier claims support.
- Reporting hub
- Business insights across returns and delivery.
Plans
Loop Returns
Checkout+$0
Free software and return shipping for merchants who qualify; eligibility depends on order and return volume.
Returns$340
per month and up, for up to 1,000 returns annually
Includes Shop Now, Instant Exchange, Bonus Credit and fraud prevention. Sold through a demo.
ZigZag Global
Free$0
per month, billed monthly
For new and small UK-based retailers: UK domestic returns, automated labels, tracking and insights, with pay-as-you-go ZigZag carriage.
Silver$20
per month, billed monthly, for up to 100 returns
Adds international returns back to the UK, a branded portal, unlimited return reasons and gift cards. Extra returns are pay-as-you-go.
Gold$50
per month, billed monthly, for up to 300 returns
Adds automated returns and refunds, configurable exchanges and a holiday return window. Extra returns are pay-as-you-go.
Platinum$199
per month, billed monthly, for up to 500 returns
Adds Shop Now exchanges, browse-and-exchange and Stripe payment on higher-value exchanges. The comparison table says 1,000 included returns; the plan card says 500.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Loop Returns or ZigZag Global?
As of Nov 13, 2026, ZigZag Global is cheaper to start with: $20 a month, against $340 a month for Loop Returns. Loop Returns starts at $340 per month, up to 1,000 returns a year, and ZigZag Global starts at $20 per month for 100 returns (Silver); the Free tier is UK domestic only.
Which has a free plan, Loop Returns or ZigZag Global?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only ZigZag Global has a free plan. Loop Returns does not.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.